D-backs fortify 'pen with Hoffmann, send Grichuk to Royals

PITTSBURGH -- The Diamondbacks continued to make deals Saturday, trading outfielder Randal Grichuk to the Royals in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Hoffmann, who made his big league debut with the Royals in May.

TRADE DETAILS
D-backs get: RHP Andrew Hoffmann
Royals get: OF Randal Grichuk

“We feel like we're acquiring a power arm reliever that is somebody that is going to be in our 'pen at some point this year, and then down the line as well,” Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said. "So continuing to try to acquire arms that are going to build out the pitching for today and beyond.”

After making his debut, Hoffmann, 25, was optioned to Triple-A before being recalled to make another two appearances on July 20 and 21. He was optioned back to Triple-A last Tuesday.

In 4 2/3 big league innings, he has allowed seven hits and six runs (two earned) while walking four and striking out five. He has a 95-mph fastball as well as a changeup and slider.

It's the second trade made by the Diamondbacks this week. They dealt Josh Naylor to the Mariners on Thursday for left-handed pitcher Brandyn Garcia, who joined Arizona's bullpen Saturday, and right-hander Ashton Izzi.

With the Diamondbacks hanging on the fringe of Wild Card contention and already decimated by injuries this year, teams have been burning up Hazen’s phone lines in recent weeks inquiring about players who are set to be free agents.

That included Naylor and Grichuk, but also includes third baseman Eugenio Suárez and right-handed starters Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen.

While dealing Naylor and Grichuk doesn’t necessarily mean Arizona is in full sell-off mode, if Suárez, Kelly and Gallen are moved, it would be a clear sign that the organization is pointing toward a rebound next year.

“These two deals were the first two things we focused a lot of our attention on,” Hazen said. "We haven’t spent a lot of time on [other deals]. We’ve had some cursory conversations, obviously much earlier here and there, but the main focus has been this right now. We’re going to turn our attention to [others] in the coming days.”

Grichuk was signed by the Diamondbacks prior to the 2024 season and slashed .291/.348/.528 that year. He became a free agent and signed back with the Diamondbacks in February. The Diamondbacks will save what is left of Grichuk’s $2 million this year. The deal included a mutual option for $5 million for next season or a $3 million buyout. That will be the responsibility of the Royals.

It’s been an emotional couple of days for the Diamondbacks. Kelly took the mound Saturday in a 2-0 loss at PNC Park, knowing that this could be his final start in an Arizona uniform. Although he has said that even if he is traded, he would have an interest in returning as a free agent.

After the bottom of the fourth inning, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was informed that he needed to take Grichuk, who was in the starting lineup, out of the game and tell him about the trade to Kansas City.

Lovullo pulled Grichuk down into the runway behind the dugout and gave him the news. Grichuk then went back into the dugout to exchange hugs with his teammates, including Kelly, who shut out the noise and held the Pirates to just two runs (one earned) over 6 2/3 innings.

“I acknowledge that there's things outside of my control that may be going on, or talks that may be going on,” Kelly said. “But as far as I'm concerned, I'm doing my best to stay in this uniform, stay in this locker room, stay with these guys until I'm not.”

As for whether or not he or Gallen or Suárez would still be in an Arizona uniform come Aug. 1 after the Trade Deadline, Hazen said he could not say for sure.

“We’re not just going to sell to the lowest bidder in some of these cases,” Hazen said. “I’m comfortable holding some of these guys with the backdrop of the [free agent] qualifying offers, etc. We’ll see what happens. I’m curious to see where the market goes as well. I’m assuming the market is going to be aggressive just given these are three of the better players that are going to be out there and obviously we’re willing to make deals.”